To Tina Murray’s Computer Class
Eunice Holtz
December, 2001
Let me tell you how my personal computer has affected my life.
 
I’m 74 now. A few years ago I went to a “Computer Camp” sponsored by RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs) and the Madison Metropolitan School District. In that case “Computer Camp” meant three mornings of introduction to computers.
 
After registering I received a questionnaire which would be used to ascertain the degree of computer knowledge the students already had. The only question I could answer with a “yes” was, “I know how to turn on a computer”. I thought it was a trick question. Everyone must know how to push an “on” button. Then in class I found I did not know even that much. Since I did not have a computer at home on which to practice, it was difficult, nearly impossible to retain any knowledge of how to use a computer. But my interest was piqued.
 
Years earlier I had reasoned to myself that if I ever became disabled, or too old to leave the house, I’d surely wish I could use a computer. I knew it could be a deterrent to boredom. I also had the wisdom to know if I didn’t try to learn some new things now, it would be more difficult the longer I waited.
Someone told me about Shabazz Hiqh School and their computer class, where young people recycle computers.
 
I called Tina Murray and told her of my desire to get a used computer. She asked me a couple of questions and I was too uninformed to be able to answer intelligently. All I could tell her was, “I would like a computer so that I could learn to play computer games”.
 
The class at Shabazz gave me an IBM with Windows 95 and an Epson LQ –570 Printer.
 
The first thing I had to learn to handle was the mouse. I can only say my feelings of stupidity at manuvering that mouse have kept me humble when I see some other elderly persons struggle with one.
 
After I got the hang of using the mouse, and winning at some games I knew I was hooked. I signed up for computer courses at Colonial Club Senior Center. Then I asked for help in learning how to get on the Internet and I gone an email address for myself.
 
Things go more exciting. I started sending email messages to my son and his family in Austin, Texas. Lynette, my daughter in law, and I don’t talk often by phone. I have trouble understanding her fast, southern accent and she doesn’t really care to visit on the phone. Now with email, we exchange bits of weekly happenings and I’m much more in touch with their lives. That has been a big PLUS.
 
I enjoy receiving and sending messages to my grandchildren. And I’m staying connected to friends who have moved to Colorado and cousins whose spouses have died. A brief message telling them I’m thinking of them and sharing some small incident in my life is easy to do by computer.
 
You might wonder how I do my emailing, since my computer is not Internet compatible. I use the Public Library Computer lab sometimes and other times I use my neighbor’s computer. You’d be interested in knowing that that neighbor is 90 years old and has a most beautiful computer set up. When I suggest that I’d better get a computer with Internet capabilities at my house, she discourages it. This way she knows I’ll come to visit her a couple times a week. It’s a benefit to both of us.
 
My computer has even been an asset to my marriage. Carl and I have been married 52 years and it’s been a good life, but there are evenings when I want to play a couple of games of cribbage, or Rummy Cube and he would rather read. I like reading. Too, but for a whole evening? No. So now I take a break and go into our den, turn on the computer and get into Free Cell, Tetris, or Taipei. I’ve been known to stay wide awake ‘til long after midnight playing Free Cell. Does that mean I’m hooked?
 
My friend in Akron, Ohio sends me email messages telling me of the game numbers of FreeCell that he has not been able to accomplish. Then I try those games and report back to him.
 
Let me list some of the things I use my computer for….
  Questionnaire for Grandchildren: At Christmas time I realized I really didn’t know about their personal preferences and so I made up a questionnaire for each to fill out. And that led to some interesting discussions.
  Creative writing class: I found it so much easier to work on an assignment when I could rearrange paragraphs or sentences or delete a sentence completely.
  Personal letters: I have a sister in law, whose eye sight is failing, and now with my computer, I can choose a large font size and she appreciates that.
  Birthday Greetings: I have fun writing personal birthday messages and by “centering” the words, it looks like poetry. Sometimes I use ClarisWorks to decorate a page.
  Keeping notes for our Senior Village Book Club: We meet twice monthly and without being asked, I started keeping record of the books discussed. At the anniversary of our first year of being organized, I shared my notes and it made a big hit with the group
  Journal: I know that Journal keeping is “good for the soul” and with a computer, it’s fun and easy.
  Mentoring: Yesterday I asked the little first grader I’m helping with reading, to dictate a little story while I typed it out and printed it. She loved it and I think that Kind of thing might help her take a greater interest in reading.
  Now this is my chance to tell you Shabazz Students Thank You! Keep up the good work. I’m making plans to give this computer to a family here in SunPrairie so that the two older children will have a computer for their school work. And I’m hoping Tina Murray will be able to find a computer for me that will have CD Rom capabilities.

Thanks again !

 

 
PS: I hope you didn’t find any misspelled words, since this computer does not have “spellcheck”.
 
 

Monday, March 11 2002
Dear Tina (and students),
 
I want you to know I’m really very pleased with my Hewlett Packard computer. You could even say “ I love it!” My old computer has been given to a family here in Sun Prairie who have 3 school age children.
 
I never thought I needed music CD’s, but now that this computer has CD capabilities, I’ve bought several CD’s and my friend has lent me some. Can you picture me sitting here at my computer surrounded by music by Gershwin, Andrea Bocelli, Piano by Candlelight and The Dresden Cathedral Choir? Fun !
 
This is my chance to express my thanks again.Thank You ! Thank You !

Sincerely,